Melody E. Cobbe has been Selected as a 2015 Florida Rising Star

Florida Super Lawyers Magazine  has selected Melody E. Cobbe as a 2015 Florida Rising Star and among the best top local legal talent.  Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. Melody E. Cobbe has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2011.  

About Cobbe Law

At Cobbe Law, we are committed to being your business’ counsel for all legal matters – from start-up to breakup. Cobbe Law utilizes a solutions-oriented approach that is geared toward achieving the client’s defined goals and objectives.   Cobbe Law clients now have the ability to outsource their legal business needs while still receiving individual attention.  We have developed a simple and effective program that provides you and your company legal support on an as-needed basis, specific project, or monthly retainer. Currently offered services include:​​ business formation; purchase or sale of an existing business; commercial agreements; corporate governance; employment consulting/human resources; and landlord/tenant consulting.

Company Annual Reports Due May 1

Dear Friends and Clients;
 

Now that tax season is over, don't forget to file your annual report before May 1, 2015 with the Department of State, Division of Corporations. If you fail to do so, a non-waivable late fee of $400 will be imposed for your Company to maintain its active status.

You can go to https://services.sunbiz.org/Filings/AnnualReport/FilingStart to file your report.

 
Please remember that this is the time to update your information.  You should (i) add, delete, or change the names and/or addresses of the officers, directors, managers, managing members, and addresses only of general partners; (ii) change the registered agent and registered office address; (iii) change the principal office address and mailing address for the business entity; and/or (iv) add or change your federal employer identification number. 

Please feel free to call and/or email Cobbe Law directly with any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,
Melody Cobbe

Trademark, Patent, or Copyright? What are the Differences?

The term “trademark” is often used to refer to both trademarks and service marks.  A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.  A service mark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than goods.  Trademarks are granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO").

When you hear or see the term patent, think of invention.  A patent is a property right relating to an invention for a limited period of time.  Patents are also granted by the USPTO and are in exchange for public disclosure of the invention.

Copyrights protect works of authorship, such as writings, music, and works of art that have been tangibly expressed.  For example, it protects the oil painting, operatic symphony, books, and poetry.

Naming Your Corporation

Before you decide to name your Florida corporation, you might want to consider that it must include "Corporation," "Company," or "Incorporated" or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Co.," or the designation "Corp," "Inc," or "Co" as part of its name.

What is an EIN?

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal tax identification number. An EIN is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN, for example, to open a business bank account.  You can apply for an EIN in various ways, including online.  This is a free service offered by the IRS.  For more information, see http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Employer-ID-Numbers-EINs